P&O Cruises is off to a difficult start in 2026. Just days after 5,000 passengers sailing with Arvia were stranded in the UK and the Caribbean following a temporary airspace shutdown, guests on Britannia are now dealing with a separate technical issue that has forced the ship to divert to Barbados for repairs.

Passenger reports suggest the trouble may be linked to the ship’s power and propulsion systems. Several guests noted a power outage while the ship was in Curaçao, when lights went out before backup systems restored electricity roughly 30 minutes later.

Other passengers said they were told the ship was operating with limited redundancy, including reports that only one generator was fully functional during part of the voyage.

The 143,000-gross-ton ship had departed from Bridgetown on December 26, 2025, for a 14-night New Year’s voyage, calling in St. George’s, Grenada, and Willemstad, Curaçao, before trouble ensued.

As the situation developed, itinerary changes followed. Britannia skipped its scheduled call in Aruba and, on January 3, passengers were informed the ship would bypass its visit to St. Lucia and sail directly to Barbados. The ship had originally been scheduled to spend two days in Castries.

Read Also: Barbados Cruise Port: Getting Around, What’s Nearby and Guide

While P&O Cruises has confirmed Britannia is in Barbados, it has not revealed what the “technical issue” is or outlined what will happen to its 3,647 passengers stuck onboard, some of whom report deteriorating onboard conditions.

“We are currently onboard Britannia docked in Barbados and have been informed that there is now a shortage of drinks due to ‘over consumption,’” shared one passenger. “Given the number of additional sea days on this cruise, it seems more likely this shortage is due to insufficient stock for the extended time at sea.”

According to the guest, crew have said the ship will not be restocked until January 9, when the cruise is set to conclude. “This is quite concerning for passengers who have paid for drink packages and expected normal service throughout the cruise.”

The cruise line did release a statement to Cruise Hive saying repairs are nearing completion and sailing will resume in the evening of January 5.

“The ship is in Barbados and will leave this evening to arrive in Martinique tomorrow, followed by St. Maarten on Wednesday, as per the original itinerary,” said a P&O Cruises spokesperson. “The guests are being updated. We apologize to our guests for the alteration.”

Days of Headaches for P&O Cruises

The disruption aboard Britannia unfolded as P&O Cruises was simultaneously dealing with operational challenges for Arvia.

On January 3, 2026, Arvia remained docked in Bridgetown after a temporary airspace shutdown across parts of the Caribbean prevented its fly-cruise passengers from disembarking or embarking as scheduled.

Because Arvia occupied the primary cruise berth longer than planned, Britannia was unable to dock immediately upon arrival in Barbados.

Passengers reported Britannia had to wait at a breakwater until Arvia departed late on January 4, 2026.

Ship-tracking data shows Arvia circling offshore near Barbados on January 5, suggesting the ship may have temporarily repositioned to make room for Britannia while cruise line teams work to adjust its itinerary following the unexpected extended port stay.

P&O Cruise Ship Diverts to Barbados After Major Technical Breakdown